Thursday, November 18, 2010

SS Peter and Paul (Jesuit) and Jacoby's

The church I visited today is the answer to the trivia question, "What is the oldest continuously used church building in Detroit?" The edifice has been standing since 1848, and it was at that time the Cathedral, the Seat of Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere. (Did he name it after himself?)

See the full history of Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit here. The church has been run by the Jesuits since it was handed over to them by Bishop Borgess in 1877 in return for starting what is now the University of Detroit-Mercy. The law school is still adjacent to the church.

The High altar, the stand-alone altar and tabernacle not in use for daily mass.The altar is flanked of course by Peter and Paul. Above the Altarand around the entire Church is the name of Jesus in several languages.Jesuits like that guy.

Side Altars. Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary "Behold your Mother"This is apparently before the proliferation of St. Joseph altarson the right-hand side (facing the high altar). Anyone know thehistory of Side Altars dedicated to St. Joseph? The shift must havehappened in the latter half of the 19th Century...

Here is where they celebrate daily Mass. The Eucharistis reserved here at the side of the Church.

Sts. Mark, Andrew and Philip. You can see also thecontinuing multi-lingual names of Jesus.

Ste. Therese of Lisieux in the Marble Vestibule.

After Mass you could head across St. Aubin St. to visit Nathan's Deli, but I decided to walk a couple blocks and head to Jacoby's, a 106 year-old German Restaurant and Bar. In addition to to German cuisine you get your burger and fries here too. I got the Sausage Soup and a bowl of Oma's recipe Saurkraut. Not bad for a $6 dollar meal. (tax and tip to 7.50) This would definitely be a good place to go with a crowd of up to 8 or 10 for dinner and beers. They have some counter-top-type tables with plenty of stools. They also have rock acts upstairs sometimes. I saw The Pizazz there once. Jacoby's is around the corner from St. Andrew's Hall and a short walk from Greektown and probably worth a stop in with their good eats and large selection of taps.

3 comments:

The large altar was crafted in Italy and brought here in one piece. This may not seem like a big deal to the average reader but if you saw it in person you would be in awe. (Once when Grandapa Barney and I were there for services...grandpa made me laugh and I was worried they would throw us out.About Jacoby's I think there is some sort of historical significance to the wooden bar. If not there is definately artistic significance. Also they have something akin to a shilelegh (sp?) at the bar that is supposed to have some sort of significance. (I think the bar is made of mahogany wood) Auntie B